Centre-State in tug of war

The Chief Ministers’ meet on internal security has raked up some uncomfortable questions. A day after the meet, Home Minister P Chidambaram revealed that the state governments have failed to utilize the funds given to them by the Centre for police reforms as a result an amount of Rs 311 crore was returned to the Centre. It would be better that the Home Minister discloses the names of those states which seem least interested in bringing about police reforms. It is ironical that the state governments on one hand complain of insufficient funds and on the other fail to utilise the amount given by the Centre for developmental work. For something like this to happen regarding police reforms is more alarming as our security forces are inadequately equipped to fight the growing challenges faced by internal security. Recently the Home Minister had divulged the fact that security forces looking after VIP security are more in numbers than required. It is also a known fact that the state governments have been ignoring the Supreme Court directives in connection to police reforms. Whatever the fact may be but the states are more responsible for the prevailing law and order problem.

The states in the recent past have been pinning the blame on the Centre for all their problems. It is true that certain steps taken by the government do raise questions but there is nothing to assume that the state governments are performing their duties sincerely. The criticism of the Centre by the states during the internal security meet only indicates that there was a political motive behind it. No matter what the fact is but the tug of war between the Centre and the state is really worrisome. Undoubtedly the Centre should consult state governments before taking any decision but the states should also not oppose every decision of the government thereby making it helpless. This will only add to the woes. Both the Centre and the states should work in tandem to solve problems.